Charter Change: Shall We Dance To Cha-Cha?

The ultimate question would be will there be more sunshine than rain? Will our country move forward? Does it really make a difference?

Definitely, we need change. Without saying it, everybody wants some form of change that will end the socio-political and economic turmoil that our country is experiencing nowadays. But, shall we dance to cha-cha? Shall we adopt the parliamentary or remain bonded with the presidential form of government?

The two forms of government have its share of good and bad points. To state a few, the parliamentary form has no clear-cut separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, leading to a differing set of checks and balances compared to those found in a presidential system. Thus, it is easier to pass legislation in the parliamentary form.

However, one of the main criticisms of parliamentary systems is that the head of government is in almost all cases not directly elected. Unlike in a presidential system, the president is usually chosen directly by the electorate, or by a set of electors directly chosen by the people, separate from the legislature.

In a parliamentary system the prime minister is elected by the legislature, often under the strong influence of the party leadership. Thus, a party's candidate for the head of government is usually known before the election. This makes the election more about the party behind the person for the position.

Shall we then dance to cha-cha? Will there be more sunshine than rain in dancing?

I believe, although the form of government is of importance, the controlling factor in order to make it effective should be the mind of the leaders. Even we change our charter or choose to remain with the presidential one, if we are continuously attached to the bandage of unintellectual and corrupt officials who serve to satisfy their personal interest, the form of government, no matter how well-founded, will surely not prosper.

For us to move economically, we must polish the deficiencies particularly with those who are entrusted with our public trust and confidence. It is however an extensive process. But we can start by painstakingly choosing and scrutinizing the candidates to vote. We must not allow our rights of suffrage to be tainted.

Though, we cannot fully assure, we must hope and pray that the candidates we voted will remain with their oath of honesty and integrity, and will forever be guided with their conscience.

Indeed, change is constant. We can change for the better. But, we must first deal with the issues that really matter in the development of our nation and improving the lives of the people.

There is no doubt we can. For this thing to happen, we should take a firm stand against political agendas. Instead of changing our charter, perhaps, we must first change the management.